Foldable crate.



E. T. BOND.

FOLDABLE CRATE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 10, 1909. 1,070,578, Patented Aug. 19, 1913.

4 SHEBTSSHEET 1.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH CO..WASHXNGTON. D. c.

E. T. BOND.

FOLDABLE CRATE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 10, 1909'.

1. 070 578 Patented Aug. 19, 1913.

4 SHEETBSHEET 2.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH ISO-.WASI'IINOTUN. n. c.

E. T. BOND.

FOLDABLE CRATE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.10, 1909.

Patented Aug. 19, 1913.

4 SHEETBSHEET a.

Jab 171%.

III

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH cO-. WASHINGTON, D. c.

E. T. BOND.

FOLDABLE CRATE. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 10, 1909.

1,070,578 Patented Aug. 19, 1913.

4 SHEETB-SHEET 4.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co.,wAsHlNG'r0N, 04 c UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDGAR 'l. BOND, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FOLTDABLE CRATE.

Application filed September 10, 1909.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDGAR T. BOND, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Foldable Crates, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

This invention relates to foldable crates or receptacles designed more especially for transportation and storage purposes, but which are adapted for use and can be used for other purposes.

The objects of the invention are: to construct a crate or receptacle that will be light and easily handled, and at the same time will be strong and durable in use; to enable the crate or receptacle to be unfolded or set up for use without trouble or inconvenience, and to be quickly and readily folded together so as to occupy but a small space as compared with its unfolded or set-up condition; to form the sides and top of the crate or receptacle of strands or bars made of wire or strips of metal or other material of sufficient rigidity to furnish the necessary strength for the crate or receptacle when unfolded or set up; to form two opposite sides of the crate or receptacle of foldable companion sections, each section consisting of a support and cross-bars or strands; to form all four sides of the crate or receptacle of foldable posts carrying the strands and adapted to fold inwardly and close the crate or receptacle; to form two opposite sides of the crate or receptacle of posts and strands or bars, with the posts hinged or flexibly connected at the bottom, allowing each side to fold over bodily; to form two sides of the crate or receptacle of central and inwardly foldable companion sections; and to improve generally the construction and arrangement of the several parts enter- 45 ling into the formation of the crate or receptacle.

The invention consists in the features of construction and'combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation showing a construction in which two opposite sides or ends of the crate or receptacle are formed of central and inwardly foldable sections and two opposite sides of 55 the crate or receptacle are formed of foldable sections having a folding connection Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented A11 19,1913.

Serial No. 517,011.

adjacent to the lower end; Fig. 2, an elevation showing the end or side of the crate of Fig. 1, having the central and inwardly foldable sections; Fig. 3, a detail showing a cross-section of one of the frames for the centrally and inwardly foldable sides or ends; Fig. 4, an elevation broken away at the center showing the crate or receptacle in its folded condition; Fig. 5 an elevation, partly in section, showing a construction in which one section of the crate or receptacle is movable longitudinally to increase the length; Fig. 6, an elevation showing a modiiication in the construction of the foldable side or end; Fig. 7, an elevation showing another modification in the construction of the foldable side or end; Fig. 8, an elevation showing a construction of a crate or receptacle having a main section or division and an extensible section or divisions with the foldable sides elevated or unfolded; Fig. 9, an elevation of the crate or receptacle of Fig. 8 in its collapsed or folded condition, and Fig. 10, a detail, partly in section, showing the manner of constructing the bottom of the crate or receptacle of Fig. 8.

In the drawings similar reference numerals indicate corresponding parts.

The construction shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 has a bottom 1 attached to which on the upper side are longitudinal strips 2 and mounted on which on the upper side are movable strips 3, and at the center, as shown in Fig. 2, are blocks or rests 4 for the lower side of the foldable end or side. Two opposite sides or ends of the crate or receptacle, in the construction shown in these figures, consist of an outer frame formed of a bottom rail or bar, having a central section 5 and side sections 6, and an upper rail or bar, having a central section 7 and side sections 8, and the frame is completed by end bars 9. The construction just described applies to the lower one of the two companion sections or frames and the upper section consists of a frame having a lower bar or support 11 and upper bar or support 12 and end bars 13; but, if desired, the frames for the two companion sections could be of the construction shown for the lower frame. The frame shown in Fig. 2 has an outer tube with an inner wire or rod 10, but instead of being of a tubular formation the frame could be formed of a solid piece, as shown in Fig. 3, and when so formed the central section 5 could have at each end a pintle or pin 14 to allow of a rolling motion for the central section 5, corresponding to the construction for the central sectlon 5, shown 1n Fig. 2. The

end bars or rails 9 and 13 of the frames ofv the two companion sections for the foldable sides or ends have cross strands or bars 15,

as shown in Fig. 2, and such cross-bars or strands can be formed of-round wire of the requisite size and strength, or of strips of metal rectangular, square, triangular, oval or other shape in cross-section, and of the requisite strength for the purpose required. The lower bar of the bottom frame is attached so as to rock or rotate on theblocks.

or supports 41 by-means of staples or eyes 16, and each section 6 of the lower rail or baris-mounted on the'block 2 by means of eyes or staples 17, so as to rock or rotate,

and is also mounted on the movable strip 3.

by staples or eyes 18 to permit a rocking motion or semi-rotation in folding and unfolding the crate or receptacle. The two companion frames for the foldable side or end of the crate or receptacle are connected one to the other by means of an'ordinary hinge 19 and, 1n addition thereto,.as shown 1n Fig. 2, a tongue 19 is mounted by an eye-or tongue and loop or socket connection-can be used in place of'the ordinary hinges 19 and the tongue furnishes a lock to-assist inholding the two sections of the side or end in vertical position when unfolded. Each longitudinal strip 3 has attached thereto a series of posts or uprights 23, by means of nails, screws or bolts 24. The upper end of each post or upright 23 has'ears 25 for the passage of a pin or pivot 26, and between the cars is entered an ear 27, through which the pin or pivot 26 passes. The car 27 is formed on a socket 28, throughwhich passes a strand or bar 29, which extends both above and below the socket. The lower ends of the strands or bars 29 are attached to a longitudinal strip 30 by turning the ends 31 of the strands or bars at right angles, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4:. The series of strands or bars 29 pass through a central longitudinal strip 32, and at their upper ends pass through a longitudinal strip 33 and are secured to such strip by turning the ends 34 of the strands or bars at right angles, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. It will be understood, however, that the strips 30 and 33mm be attached to the strands or bars 29 in any suitable manner. The two strands or bars 29 at each end of the side ofthe crate or receptacle are arranged close together, so as to furnish a space 35 which receives the ends of the frames of the central and inwardly foldable sides orends of the crate or receptacle; and

when the crate or receptacle is unfolded and in operative condition, the inwardly and centrally foldable ends or sides are supported between the two end bars or strands of the other foldable sides, as shown in Fig. 1;

and when unfolded the bottom strip 30 and.

the top strip 33 engage the strip 3 and the strip of the top or cover of the crate or receptacle, so as to furnish a firm support for the crate or receptacle as a whole. The movable strip 3 can be drawn outward for the purpose of removing the end strands or bars 29 from engagement with the two .infwardly and centrally foldable frames, allow :ing the frames to be folded inwardly and downwardly in closing the crate or 'recep-. tacle; and'when'the frames are folded com pletely down the sides, formed of the strands or bars 29 and the top and bottom rails or strips can be folded inwardly as shown in Fig. 4, closmg the crate or receptacle 1n a compact form and so as to occupy but a small space, as compared with the crate or receptacle when unfolded.

The-construction shown in Figs. 1 to 4, both-inclusive, has a top or cover formed of a series of barsor strands 36 attached at their ends by eyes'37 to longitudinal strips 38, and each longitudinal strip 38 is attached by an eye or loop 39 to the top rail or bar of the upper sect-ion of the foldable side or end of the crate or receptacle, so that, the sides or ends whlch are centrally and lnwardly foldable are folded down, the top or cover sides or ends ofthe crate or receptacle are unfolded, raising in such unfolding the top or cover' and when the'companion frames of t-het-wo oppositesides are fully raised the two sides first raised are movable inwardly so as to have-the ends of the frames enter the space35, between the end bars or strands 29, looking and holding the four sides in their elevated position. The crate or receptacle is unfolded or closed by withdrawing the two sides formed of'the strands or bars 29, so as to release the ends of the frames of the central and inwardly closing sides or ends, allowing suchsides or ends to r be folded inwardly and downwardly, and

when folded, and if necessary these railscor sides having the .strands'or bars 29 can be folded lnwardly from the bottom, closing or foldingthe receptacle as a'whele. V

The construction 1s 'very simple and the crate or receptacle can be readily and quickly handled in unfolding and folding, and when unfolded or in its raised position the crate or receptacle furnishes a construction which is strong and durable and well adapted for transportation and storage purposes.

The longitudinal strips 2 and 3 on the bottom of the crate or receptacle, and the longitudinal strips 37 for the top or cover of the receptacle, are provided respectively with recesses or notches 40 and 41 to receive the rail or bar of the lower section of the frame when folded, and if necessary these rails or bars 2 and 3 and 37 can be provided with recesses or notches to receive the cross-bars or strands 15 of the frame when folded, which construction will permit a closer folding, and will also allow the lower rail or bar of the bottom frame to be set deeper into the cross strips 2 and 3, if deemed necessary or desirable.

The construction illustrated in Fig. 5 has a rail 67 which carries a series of posts 23 and strands or bars 29, and this rail is lo cated in the plane of the bottom proper of the crate or receptacle and has connected therewith rods or bars 68 extending inwardly therefrom. The main bottom of the crate or receptacle has secured to its under side on two opposite sides a strip 69, on the inner edge of which is a dove-tail which receives a tongue on the outer strip or slat of a bottom 70 attached to the cross-bar or strip 67, so that this bottom 70 and the cross strip or bar 67, with the posts 23 and strands or bars 29 thereon, can be moved outwardly and give an increased length to the crate or receptacle; it being understood that the movable section of the crate or receptacle is provided with suitable inwardly folding sides and a top which can be folded and unfolded to extend or withdraw the movable section of the crate or receptacle.

The inwardly foldable sides or ends of the crate or receptacle need not necessarily be formed of continuous frames separately foldable, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, but could be otherwise formed. A construction is shown in Fig. 6 in which the upper and lower bars are dispensed with and only end bars are used. The upper end bar 75 has on its lower end a socket or bearing 76, and the lower end bar 75 has on its upper end a socket or hearing 77, and the sockets or bearings 76 and 77 are mounted on and encircle a central rod 78, so that the end bars can be folded and unfolded on the central rod 78 as a hinge or pivot. The upper end of the upper bar 75 and the lower end of the lower bar 75 are connected respectively to the cover 71 and to the bottom 1 of the crate or receptacle by a strap 79 and a staple 80, so as to furnish a flexible or hinged connection, which will allow of the unfolding and folding of the two companion ends or sides of the crate or receptacle. As shown in Fig. 6, the two opposite sides of the crate or receptacle are formed by post 23 and strands or bars 29, the same as in the construction of Figs. 1 and 2.

The construction shown in Fig. 7 has the end bars of the centrally and inwardly foldable sides or ends of the crate or receptacle formed of an upper wire 81 and a lower wire 81, the upper wire terminating in a loop 82, which is attached by a staple 83 to the cover, and the lower wire terminating in a loop 82, which is attached by a staple 83 to the bottom 1. The adjacent ends of the wire supports 81 are attached by a coil 8 1 to a central rod 78, so as to turn on said rod as a pivot. Each wire support 81 has a series of eyes 85 formed therewith, which eyes receive the cross strands or bars 15 of the side or end of the crate or receptacle. The construction shown in Fig. 7 can also employ, for the other two opposite sides, the construction of bottom post 23 and strands or bars 29 shown in Fig. 6.

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 show a construction of an extensible crate or receptacle. The main section or division of this crate or receptacle has, as shown, the inwardly and centrally foldable corner posts or uprights, formed of a lower member 46 and an upper member 4-7, the two members united at their abutting ends by a hinge 48 or otherwise, so as to allow the two members to fold together. The cross-bars 15 are made in two parts united by sockets 97, a socket for each part, and attached to the opposite ends of the divided cross strands or bars 15 by a pin 98 or otherwise. At the bottom of each inwardly and centrally foldable side is a divided cross-rod or bar 99, the two parts of which are joined by sockets 97 and pins 98; and at the top of each of said foldable sides is a divided cross rod or bar 100, the two parts of which are j cined by sockets 97 and pins 98, which sockets 97 and pins 98 enable the cross strands 15 and the cross rods or bars 99 and 100 to slide in and out in the movements of the extensible section or division of the casing. Each rod or bar 99 passes through an inner side tube 101 on the bottom of the main crate or receptacle, and also through an outer side tube 102 attached to the bottom of the movable section of the crate or receptacle. Each rod or bar 100 passes through an inner tube 103 and an outer tube 104 at the top of the two divisions or sections of the crate or re ceptacle. Both outer tubes 102 at the bottom and both outer tubes 10% at the top may be movable, or these tubes on one side only of the crate or receptacle can have the outer tubes 102 and 10 1 movable. The two remaining sides of the crate or receptacle can be formed of posts 23, and strands or rods 29, as already described, the posts 23 being tenoned or otherwise secured in the outer serving as a pivot between the posts 23, and

the strandsor rods 29, as shown in Figs. 8 and 10.

'liliebottom l of the maindivisionor sectionofthe-crate-or receptacle of Figs. 8, 9, and 110 f has on two opposite sides, or on one side, aseries of fixed slats or strips 106-with openlngs or spaces between them, and-eachopening or space receives thereinto a-slat or strip -107,=-which slatsor strips 107 form the bottom of the movable section or sections-of the crate or receptacle. Eaoh slat or strip 1071011 one edge has adovetail or tongue 108,

which enters a dovetailrecess or groove 109 in the adjoining edge-of the fixed slat or strip 106 of the bottom, so as to connect the' twobottoms together andallow thebottom of the movable section or division of the crate or receptacle to be slidable out and in, for extending and contracting the length or width of the crate or receptacle as a whole.

The rods or bars 99 and 100 movein and out with the bottom slats or strips 107 in con-' tracting and extending the crate or receptacle; and the strands or rods 15 can be moved in or out by hand, or such strands or rods could have a detachable connection withthe corner posts 23 and corner strands or rods 29, so as to move in and-out in cont-racting and extending the crate or receptacle.

This extensible crate or receptacle is unfold-ed and folded, as already described for the non-extensible cratcsor receptacles, and

when unfolded the-parts stand asin Fig. 8,

and when folded the parts areinthe position shown in Fig. 9, with thetWo opposite sides, whichhave the centrally and inwardly foldable corner posts or-uprights,being the lowermost and the two opposite sides, which have the posts and strands or rod-s, being the uppermost.

It is to be noted that no matter how constructed and arranged the crate or receptacle has all four sides inwardly foldable,

and while it is preferred to form the sides of strands, it is evident that thin boards or metal sheets could be used to fill in between the corner posts or uprights.

The'advantages pertaining to the crate or receptacle of the present invention are apparent, and need not be described in detail. Suffice it to say that the crate can be'readily :and' quickly unfolded and folded, is verystrong and durable, and at the same time light and easily handled, and when folded can bestored away and occupy but a small space in a room or other storing place.

It is not the intention to'limlt, restrict, re-

strain, or confine the mechanism in these'devices for use in 'foldablecrates, and under the word crate is included coops for chickens, crates for the transportation of berries, vegetables or other commodities, re-

ceptacles, carrying cases for eggs, folding consistingof a rigid support, either in the form of a frame, or of corner posts or standards, made in two parts lunged or otherwise united at the center, and crossstrands; and under'the term strand is included, a wlre, a small SlZEBdlOCl, a strlp,

abar,-=a slat, atwi-sted strand or other form of connecting-means; and the strand can be of various shapes, in cross-section, such as round, oval, square, rectangular, triansite sides of the crate or receptacle can be formed of a series of bottom posts and upper strands or bars, with each upper strand or bar pivoted to the post, to fold inwardly, and overlie the centrallvand inwardly foldable sides, when folded.

The gist of the present invention is in constructingthe crate or receptacle with two opposite sides, preferably'centrally and inwardly foldable, and the other two opposite sidesinw-ardly foldable, and having'all four sides formed of strands, thereby furnishing a crate which will be light, strong'and durable, and which can be folded into a compact shape when not in use.

hat I claim asnew and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a foldable crateythe combination of a bottom, a top, two opposite sides, each inf wardly foldable from its lower. end, and each-consisting of two companionsections, each section formed of a divided support centrally joined and adapted to fold inwardly on itselfand into a horizontal position and to be unfolded and raised vertically, and longitudinal strands extending between'the supports, and two opposite sides each consisting of a series of rods spaced apart, each rod pivotally mounted at its lower end and inwardly and horizontally foldable on its pivot and adapted to be raised vertically, two of the sides when folded in a horizontal plane arranged to .gulanor other shape. The othertwo oppo- V overlie the other two sideswhen folded iiito a horizontal position, substantially as described. i

2. In a foldable crategthe combination of two' opposite sides each centrally foldable inwardly and also inwardly foldable from its lower end and adapted to be raised into a vertical position, a top mounted on said centrally foldable sides,two opposite sides, each consisting of a series of vertical posts and swinging rods, the posts having a fixed position and spaced apart, and the swinging rods, one for each post, pivotally mounted on the upper end of its post and inwardly and horizontally foldable from its pivot and adapted to be raised vertically, two of the sides when folded horizontally, arranged to overlie the other two sides when folded into a horizontal position, and a bottom having the series of posts secured thereto on each side, substantially as described.

3. In a foldable crate, the combination of a bottom, two opposite sides each centrally foldable inwardly and also inwardly foldable from its lower end and adapted to be raised into a vertical position, a top mounted on said centrally foldable sides, two opposite sides each consisting of a series of vertical posts secured to the bottom on each side and spaced apart, and swinging rods, one for each post, pivotally mounted on the upper end of its post and inwardly and horizontally foldable from its pivot and adapted to be raised vertically, two of the sides when folded into a horizontal position arranged to overlie the other two sides when inwardly folded, the two adjoining rods at each end when elevated receiving between them the ends of the centrally foldable sides when elevated, substantially as described.

4. In a foldable crate, the combination of a top, a bottom, a laterally movable strip on two opposite sides of the bottom, two sides for the body of the crate extending crosswise of the bottom at right angles to the laterally movable strips, each of said crate sides centrally foldable inwardly and also inwardly foldable from the lower end and adapted to be raised vertically, a series of vertical posts secured to each laterally movable strip and spaced apart, a series of swinging rods one for each post each rod pivotally mounted on the upper end of its post and adapted to be folded inwardly and raised into a vertical position on its pivot, and when vertical have the two adjoining end rods on'each side at the ends furnish a support for holding the centrally foldable sides in vertical position, substantially as described.

5. In a foldable crate, the combination of a bottom, a top, two opposite sides each consisting of a series of fixed bottom posts, spaced apart and standing vertical, a series of swinging rods one rod for each post, each rod pivotally mounted on the upper end of its post and inwardly foldable into a horizontal position and adapted to be raised vertically on its pivot, a strip attached to the lower ends of the rods, and a strip attached to the upper ends of the rods, the strips engaging respectively the bottom and top of the crate and holding the rods in their raised vertical position, substantially as described.

EDGAR T. BOND.

Witnesses HATTIE B. LEHMAN,

OSCAR W. BOND.

Copies 0! this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

